Ingredients
- Cake
- 1 large Granny Smith apple (8 oz), peeled, halved, cored and cut in 1/4-in.-thick slices
- 1/2 cup(s) walnuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup(s) raisins
- 2 stick(s) (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup(s) packed dark-brown sugar
- 3/4 cup(s) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) baking soda
- 1 teaspoon(s) each ground cinnamon and ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon(s) salt
- 4 large eggs
- 3 cup(s) all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cup(s) chunky applesauce
- Frosting
- 1 (8 oz) brick cream cheese
- 3/4 stick(s) (6 Tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup(s) honey
- 1/2 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
- Garnish: thinly sliced apple
Preparation
Step 1
1.Cake: Heat oven to 350°F. Coat two 9 x 2-in. cake pans with nonstick spray. Line bottoms with wax paper; spray paper. Arrange apple slices in a single layer in 1 prepared pan. Sprinkle walnuts and raisins evenly over bottom of other prepared pan.
2.Beat butter, sugars, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger and salt in a large bowl with mixer on low speed until blended. Increase speed to medium-high and beat, scraping bowl a few times, 3 minutes or until fluffy.
3.On low speed, beat in eggs 1 at a time until well blended. Beat in flour in 4 additions, alternately with applesauce in 3 additions, just until blended. Divide batter between prepared pans, gently spreading level.
4.Bake 40 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Gently run a knife around sides of cakes and invert cakes sharply on rack; remove wax paper. Cool completely.
5.Frosting: Beat cream cheese, butter, honey and vanilla in a medium bowl with mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes until smooth and fluffy.
6.Place apple cake layer apple side up on cake platter. Spread with 3/4 cup frosting. Top with other cake layer walnut-raisin side down. Spread top of cake with remaining frosting. Just before serving, garnish with sliced apple.